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Marc Colombo is the new $22 million man on the Cowboys' offensive line. He must start earning his keep immediately.

The defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants visit Texas Stadium on Sunday, and they bring their NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate, strongside end Justin Tuck.

At right offensive tackle, Colombo draws Tuck as his blocking assignment – and Tuck wasn't blocked very often in the first meeting between the teams in November. Tuck made a team runner-up six tackles, including 2 ½ sacks, as the Giants handcuffed the Cowboys' offense in a 35-14 romp.

This isn't the way it was supposed to be in the NFC East this season. With the retirement of Michael Strahan and the season-ending knee injury suffered by Osi Umenyiora in August, the Giants were supposed to take a step backward at defensive end without their two Pro Bowlers.

But Tuck has become a one-man demolition crew up front for New York. He ranks fourth in the NFL among defensive linemen with 55 tackles and fourth among all pass rushers with 12 ½ sacks.

Tuck has been the backbone of a defensive unit that ranks fourth in the NFL in sacks, fifth in run defense and sixth in overall defense. He's had multi-sack games against St. Louis, San Francisco, Washington and Dallas. He's also forced three fumbles, and returned his lone interception 41 yards for a touchdown against the Rams.

The Cowboys couldn't keep the Pittsburgh pass rush off Tony Romo last week. The Steelers sacked him three times and harassed him into three interceptions. Romo also was sacked three times in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals, as was Brad Johnson in a loss to St. Louis.

Any success against the Giants must begin with the protection of Romo – and that begins with Colombo blocking Tuck.